The Efficacy of Oral Ergocalciferol on Changes in Parathyroid Hormone (iPTH) and One-Year Survival and Hemodialysis Factors of Patients with Chronic Renal Failure and Vitamin D Deficiency under Hemodialysis

The use of vitamin D supplementation in patients with diabetes mellitus and low levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D, especially in patients under long-term hemodialysis, is common; but the safety and efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in these patients remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of oral vitamin D supplementation (Ergocalciferol) on changes in intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and hemodialysis factors in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). A clinical trial study was performed on 110 patients under hemodialysis referred to dialysis center of Rasoul Akram hospital, Tehran, Iran. The patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups of case and control, after informed consent. The case group received omega-3 with vitamin D (50,000 units) capsules, and the control group was only treated with omega-3 capsules weekly for six weeks. After 12 weeks from the start of the study, they were re-evaluated in the same laboratory, and the results were compared between the groups. The serum level of iPTH was significantly different between the two groups after the intervention (P < 0.001). The findings also showed that serum levels of calcium (P = 0.022) and vitamin D (P < 0.001) had a significant difference between the two groups after the intervention. On the other hand, serum albumin, phosphorus, and creatinine were not significantly different between the two groups, before and after intervention (P > 0.050). According to the results of this study, the administration of Ergocalciferol leads to a decrease in the serum level of iPTH, and increase in serum calcium and vitamin D in patients under hemodialysis; but does not change the serum level of albumin, phosphorus, creatinine, as well as mortality. So, the length of follow up, and the factors affecting mortality should be investigated to determine the effect of vitamin D on these patients.